Tip McGuire, a Democrat, says a few words after being sworn into office to serve the state's 64th Assembly District by Kenosha County Judge Jodi Meier Monday. Peter Barca had previously served the 64th Assembly District before joining Gov. Tony Evers' cabinet as the state's secretary of revenue.

Tip McGuire sworn in as 64th Assembly District representative

Tip McGuire, a Democrat, is sworn into office to serve the state’s 64th Assembly District by Kenosha County Judge Jodi Meier Monday.

KENOSHA NEWS PHOTO BY JEFF ZAMPANTI

Tip McGuire, a Democrat, says a few words after being sworn into office to serve the state's 64th Assembly District by Kenosha County Judge Jodi Meier Monday. Peter Barca had previously served the 64th Assembly District before joining Gov. Tony Evers' cabinet as the state's secretary of revenue.

SOMERS — With Kenosha County Judge Jodi Meier officiating, Somers native Thaddeus “Tip” McGuire was officially sworn in as a member of the state Assembly on Monday at the Somers Town Hall Auditorium, 7511 12th St.

McGuire, a Democrat, won a special election over Republican Mark Stalker on April 30 to represent Assembly District 64. The position was previously held by Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, who was chosen by Gov. Tony Evers as the state secretary of revenue.

The ceremony was attended by numerous local politicians and well-wishers, offering their approval and support of McGuire.

McGuire served as an aide to Barca from 2009 to 2014.

“Peter has been a mentor to me since day one,” McGuire said. “I honestly cannot thank him enough for the opportunity to work in his office and all of the lessons I learned working there about how to be an effective representative and how to be as close to the people as you possibly can.”

Meier opened with a brief speech before officiating the ceremony. McGuire was a special prosecutor for the Kenosha County District Attorney’s office in 2017 before becoming a criminal prosecutor for Milwaukee County Judge Jean Kies in 2018.

“I reached out to tell (Kies) how lucky that Tip would be prosecuting in her courtroom, but Kenosha wanted him back,” Meier said. “He was a staunch and compassionate advocate and a champion for justice on behalf of the state for the citizens of Kenosha County.”

Meier said those skills learned in the courtroom will translate well in Madison.

“He would bring it every day,” Meier said. “That’s important. There wasn’t one day where that didn’t happen. He’s going to do that in the Assembly. It’s his calling and his passion. He will be extremely successful. I see great things ahead of him.”

McGuire, a Racine St. Catherine’s graduate, represents a portion of Racine and Kenosha counties. His district in Kenosha County includes the far north and west sides of the city of Kenosha and the area in Somers east of Highway 31.

McGuire said he was fortunate to hold the ceremony in Kenosha County, which he referred to as “the greatest place in the world.”

“There’s a lot we have to do moving forward,” McGuire said. “We have to make sure people have access to affordable health care, make sure we’re creating family-supporting jobs and make sure we’re reinvesting in our public schools. That’s going to be the focus, making sure we have a strong budget that can help the middle class.”

Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian was one of many local politicians in attendance.

“Tip is a wonderful, young man who is going to do an excellent job for the community,” Antaramian said. “I think he’s going to be a remarkable replacement for (Barca), who was a fantastic representative.”